Superintendent's Welcome
Thank you for visiting our website to learn about the Cardiff School District! Our outstanding district is located in the lovely coastal community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, in north San Diego County. We are a district of two beautiful school campuses, Cardiff School and Ada Harris School. Cardiff School serves students in grades K-2, and Ada Harris School serves students in grades 3-6. Together, our two California Distinguished Schools proudly educate approximately 610 students. The Cardiff Schools vision is Educational Excellence | Lifelong Learners | Contributing Citizens. Our focus is on creating a deeply engaged learning environment for the whole person, inspiring active parent and community engagement, and managing resources efficiently.
Our Lifelong Learner Profile is the cornerstone of our vision, preparing students for a rapidly changing world by fostering deep personal growth, academic curiosity, and a sense of community responsibility. Through this framework, our schools nurture mindful learners who are goal-oriented and self-aware, as well as compassionate citizens who lead with empathy and embrace diverse cultures. In addition, students grow into skillful connectors and global thinkers, learning to communicate thoughtfully and make decisions that positively impact both local and global communities. Finally, as inspired innovators, students are empowered to think flexibly, persevere through challenges, and use technology appropriately and responsibly. Ultimately, this profile embodies our mission to help every child develop the critical skills, resilience, and global awareness needed to thrive both in the classroom and throughout their lives.
Cardiff Schools classrooms reflect a balanced learning environment in which whole- and small-group learning, inquiry-based projects, hands-on exploration, computer-adaptive technology, and an emphasis on developing higher-order thinking skills support an age-appropriate, balanced, and personalized educational program. We are committed to providing all students with an innovative, high-quality education in a safe and caring environment. We are a community of learners who embrace a growth mindset, and our staff members engage in regular professional development activities and collaboration to support our district goals. Our teachers, administrators, and classified staff work together to engage students in meaningful, standards-based lessons, projects, and activities that support our educational goals and help all students fully realize their potential.
Cardiff School District staff, the Governing Board, parents, and community members work together to create an outstanding learning environment for children. The Cardiff Schools Education Association (Cardiff SEA) is our parent-staff organization that works tirelessly to provide financial and volunteer support to our schools and programs. In partnership with the school district, the Cardiff SEA supports specialty programs including STEAM labs, music, physical education, Spanish, gardening, art, and more. Our three largest fundraisers include a Halloween event, a parents-only night out fundraising event, and our annual Ice Cream Social. These events provide not only our largest source of fundraising but also help shape and reinforce the wonderful sense of family and community involvement that defines Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
We are extremely proud of our community and our great schools. Please visit the Cardiff Elementary and Ada Harris Elementary home pages for more detailed information.
Sincerely,
Jill Vinson
Superintendent